JAPAN 121 – Course syllabus Fall Quarter 2014
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours :
Tomoko Nakaone
tomoko.nakaone@bellevuecollege.edu
R230L
By appointment
Course objectives
This course aims at acquisition of four basic skills (listening, speaking, reading, and
writing) of Modern Japanese. By the end of the quarter, students are expected to have
a good grasp of Japanese grammar and to put the grammatical knowledge into use in
the everyday situations, such as:
a) Introducing yourself,
b) Shopping at stores,
c) Talking about daily routines and past events, and
d) Asking about locations of place and objects.
We will also practice reading and writing Hiragana and Katakana. Relevant Japanese
socio-cultural topics will also be discussed.
Textbook and supplemental materials
Required:
1) Genki Vol. 1 (2nd edition)
2) Genki Workbook 1 (2nd edition)
Recommended:
1) Kodansha’s Hiragana Workbook
2) Kodansha’s Katakana Workbook
Study Aids: 1) Canvas Class Site provides audio files, workbook answers, lecture
notes, links to self-study websites, and class announcements.
2) The Tutoring Center (D204) is available for you to get extra practice in
Japanese: www.bellevuecollege.edu/tutoring Drop-in group tutoring is
open to anyone taking credit Japanese classes. Students receiving C or
below may sign up for one-on-one tutoring upon request and approval.
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E-mail and My BC
1) Bellevue College e-mail account is required for the class.
(username@student.bellevuecollege.edu) If you do not yet have an account, go to
https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam/ and create an account - it’s free.
2) Computer access is available at the Library Media Center, Computer Lab (N250) or
the Language Lab (A244).
3) Sign-up for the Emergency School Closure Notification at
https://bellevuecollege.edu/alerts/LogIn.aspx. If school is closed, check the Canvas
class Sites for any comments from me.
Technology Support
If you're having trouble with any documents on Canvas class site, do one or more of the
following:
1) Before you begin, make sure you have a BC student network account.
2) Try a different browser. Usually Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari work.
3) Learn about campus technology: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/
4) Send your technology-related questions to https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/STSC/
5) Ask your technology questions at the Technology Help Desk in N250; Mon-Fri 7am7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/help-desklocation-hours/
6) Call the Tech Support for students at (425) 564-HELP (425-564-4357).
7) During the first week of quarter, visit the Tech Café on the 1st floor of the R building,
in the eastern lobby for any technology help. Canvas training will be held in R102/103
during the first week as well. http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/ir/news/tech-cafe-isback/
Computers and printers available for students use:
1) BC Library Media Center, Mon-Th 7am-8pm, Fri 7am-5pm, Sat Closed, Sun 1-5pm
2) Computer Lab (N250) Mon-Th 7am-9:30pm, Fri 7am-7pm, Sat and Sun 9am-6pm
3) Language Lab (A244) open hours will be posted on the door.
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Grade breakdown
Attendance & Class participation
FULL CREDIT will be given to those who are present at the bell until the end of
class. Tardiness or leaving early may result in only HALF CREDIT. You must also
participate in class activities in order to receive a full credit.
Quizzes and Tests
There will be three tests as noted on the schedule. Each test will cover grammar,
reading, writing, and listening introduced in the previous weeks. Besides these tests,
there will be small quizzes. The content of each quiz will be announced later in class.
Homework
1) Reading assignment: Read grammar notes in each chapter in the textbook
before we start a new chapter.
2) In class homework: Other homework may be assigned in class. If you miss a
class, it is your responsibility to e-mail me and check Canvas class site for any
missed assignments and announcements.
3) Workbook:
 Turn in the SELF-CORRECTED, completed Genki workbook on each
assigned day. To correct your work, refer to the “Genki Workbook Answers”
and “Hiragana Katakana workbook Answers” posted on the Canvas course
site.

Use a DIFFERENT COLOR PEN to check your answers and write “Selfcorrected” at the top of the first page. DO NOT ERASE your original
answers, as they will be valuable study aides for tests.

You will receive FULL CREDIT for thoroughly checked work. Unfinished
pages and pages with any mistakes which are not self-corrected will result in
PARTIAL CREDIT. You are not penalized for the number of mistakes in
workbook pages.

Homework turned in up to two days after the due date will only receive HALF
CREDIT. Homework turned in more than two days after the due date will
receive NO CREDIT.

You may tear out each sheet in Genki workbook, but please use a paper clip
or staple them together when you turn in. If you prefer to keep your Workbook
intact, feel free to write out your answers on a separate piece of paper.
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Oral Interview
Each student will be interviewed individually in Japanese by the instructor
towards the end of the quarter. The details will be announced later.
Final Exam
Final exam is a comprehensive exam. Everything covered in the class this
quarter will be included. It consists of listening, grammar, vocabulary, reading,
and katakana components.
Grading system
Attendance (15%) & Class participation (5%)
Homework
Tests
Quizzes
Oral Interview
Final Exam
B+
C+
D+
87 — 89 %
77 — 79 %
67 — 69 %
A
B
C
D
94 — 100 %
83 — 86 %
73 — 76 %
60 — 66 %
20 %
15 %
20 %
15 %
10 %
20 %
ABCF
90 — 93 %
80 — 82 %
70 — 72 %
59 and below
Class policy
1) There are NO-MAKE UPs for Quizzes. The lowest quiz score will be automatically
dropped in order to accommodate any unexpected circumstances. As a general rule,
there are no make-ups for tests, oral test, and exams. If you encounter
unavoidable circumstances (school events, accidents and illness, family emergency),
email me on or before the day of the exam. You must make up all missed work
within a week. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to discuss them with me.
2) NO USE OF ELECTRIC DEVICES (e.g. cell phones, lap tops, ipods, etc.) is
allowed during class time. Ask permission to your instructor if you need to use them.
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Academic conduct
Cheating is a serious offense, whether on homework or exams.
Inappropriate/disruptive classroom behaviors are also violations of the Student Code of
Conduct at Bellevue College. Refer to the Arts and Humanities Division Policy at:
www.bellevuecollege.edu/ArtsHum/studentinfo.asp
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of
the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from
harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue
College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one
another with dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/college/inclusion/
Information on DRC
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges
and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which
you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may
need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact us as soon
as possible.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as
a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety
plan within the first week of the quarter.
The DRC office is located in LMC (D125) or you can call our reception desk at (425) 5642498. Deaf students can reach us by video phone at (425) 440-2025 or by TTY at (425)
564-4110. Please visit our website for application information into our program and
other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
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Miscellaneous Information
1) Sakura Club
A club for BC students interested in Japanese culture. The club's mission is to
introduce Japanese culture to the BC community by promoting Japan-related
activities for all to enjoy. Promotes interaction between international students from
Japan and non-Japanese students for mutual understanding. If you are interested in
joining the Sakura club, visit Facebook under "SakuraClub Bellevue" (no space
between "Sakura" and "Club") and request to be a "friend." Meeting times: TBD
2) Genki Society
If you are into “anime,” this club may be for you. Inquire at the Student Programs
office in L100 to see whom to contact to join.
あきまつ
3) Aki Matsuri ( 秋 祭 り = Japanese Fall Festival)
This is an annual event where you get to know Japanese people in the community
and can experience Japanese culture. Popular programs include Japanese fine arts
& crafts exhibits and demonstrations, booths of Japan-related businesses &
organizations, Japanese martial art demonstrations, on-stage performing arts, Nomino-ichi (Japanese-style flea market), Guest artists from Japan, and Yatai (Japanese
food booths).
Thanks for those who have volunteered at Annual Aki Matsuri in the past years. An
Aki Matsuri T-shirt is awarded to anyone completing a minimum of 4 hours of
volunteering. If you’re interested in helping out at next year’s Aki Matsuri, contact
the Aki Matsuri Volunteer Coordinator, or send an e-mail to
akimatsuri.volunteer@gmail.com (Volunteers do not need to know any Japanese
language)
For more information, visit the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association website:
http://enma.org/
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